Marcos: Trump-Xi meeting to 'influence' APEC meetings

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.  on Thursday said the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will "influence everything" in the 2025 APEC Summit.

''It is impossible to talk about this APEC meeting without referencing, as we are here today, right now, this is at this moment, the meeting between President Trump and President Xi, they are presently holding... and the results of those meeting will color and influence everything that we will be doing in the APEC meeting,'' Marcos said in his departure speech. 

''It is... the world is watching because this is the source of the largest shock that has entered into the World Trade system. And we have to see what the agreements will be coming out of these meetings between President Xi and President Trump,'' he added. 

Trump kicked off a meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping at a South Korean air base on Thursday optimistic about striking a trade-war truce between the world's two largest economies.

"We are going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt. But he is a very tough negotiator," Trump said as he shook hands with Xi, who showed little emotion as Trump told reporters the pair might sign a trade deal on Thursday.

A few days ago, trade negotiators for both countries reached a "fundamental consensus on addressing each other's primary concerns," Xi said. 

"I am willing to continue working with President Trump to lay a solid foundation for China-US relations," he added.

Marcos, meanwhile, is en route to Busan, South Korea to participate in the 32nd APEC Summit.

Marcos said he would showcase during his remarks at the APEC CEO Summit the Philippines' commitment to fostering economic partnership with other nations as well as pursuing digital transformation.

He would have business meetings with Korean firms and a meet-and-greet with the Filipino community.  —with reports from Reuters/ VAL, GMA Integrated News